Nestled in a tranquil, manicured garden in Kumeu is Allely Estate. Only 20 minutes drive from Auckland's CBD, it was the perfect venue for our final BeautyEQ Long Lunch for 2022. Editor Trudi Brewer shares all the action from what was a perfect afternoon.

In the turn-of-the-century villa, our guests were greeted with a glass of Piper Heidsieck on arrival from the Champagne tower in the immaculately landscaped gardens of Allely Estate. Once seated in the domed roof marquee, the antipasto platter of cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, and artisan bread was the starter for the three-course lunch. The main course is chicken breast with wild mushroom sauce served on roasted potato rosti and garden salad. Kylie Minogue Rose and Jules Taylor Pinot Gris accompanied lunch. At the same time, plated petit fours of mille-feuille, lemon tart, and black forest cake was the perfect, pretty, sweet treat to round off a delicious menu.

RESORT FASHION

What to wear at the beach or poolside this summer holiday is no longer a concern with the range of accessible local brands to help our guests plan their holiday wardrobes. Our models showed off the new ST Tropez Whipped Crème Mousse and Gradual Classic Tan. Our guests saw how easy it is to sport a sun-free faux glow on every skin colouring.

Left to right: 1. Moontide swimsuit, Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Novo heels. 2. Moontide swimsuit and robe, Gucci sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Mi Piaci heels. 3. Moochi shirt, singlet and shorts, Dita sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson platforms. 4. Moochi dress, Chloe sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Mi Piaci slides.

Left to right: 1. Moochi hat, Moontide swimsuit and Mi Piaci slides. 2. Coop top and shorts, Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Mi Piaci heels. 3. Coop kaftan, Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson heels. 5. Moontide bikini, Coop pants, Dior sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Novo heels.

Left to right: 1. Moontide swimsuit and Mi Piaci slides. 2. Coop t shirt and bag, Kathryn Wilson heels. 3. Moontide swimsuit and kaftan, Saint Laurent sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson heels. 4. Coop t shirt and shorts, Mi Piaci heels.

Left to right: 1. Moontide bikini, Gucci sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson heels. 2. Curate dress, Dior sunglasses from Sunglasses Bar and Mi Piaci heels. 3. Moontide bikini, Dior sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Mi Piaci heels. 4. Curate dress and hat, Mi Piaci heels.

Beauty Panel

Avène

There is only one anti-ageing face cream that works: sunscreen. The Avène collection offers UVA (ageing rays) and UVB (burning rays) protection, and it’s photostable (won’t degrade in the sun), both crucial. The formulations are also boosted with vitamin E a brilliant antioxidant, and each formula sits in a base of the soothing thermal spring water. And when it comes to innovation, their latest overnight skin treat was also on offer. The Hydrance Aqua-Gel Night Hydrating Sleeping Mask is the perfect skin pick-me-up, especially after a day in the sun. It works wonders to hydrate and calms the skin, helping your skin sport an enviable glow.

Dr LeWinn’s Collagen

A concentrated shot of sustainably sourced, hydrolysed marine collagen was the perfect way to start the day at Allely Estate. The team from Dr LeWinns shared the virtues of their liquid and powder collagen, boosted by vitamin C (essentials for fast absorption of collagen), and blueberry juice and spinach powder. In one little bottle, there is everything a woman needs to feel on top of her game. The take-home from our guests was how easily this liquid collagen can fit into your beauty routine with endless recipe options to suit your taste.

ST Tropez

Nothing signals summer more than a bronze glow, and our guests were the first to see the latest innovations from ST Tropez. Two newbies join the lineup of 100 natural self-tan. A Luxe-y Whipped Crème Mousse that looks like chocolate souffle and a Gradual Classic Tan formula in two colour options. light and medium. Both these newbies are touch dry in seconds (the mousse offers a great guide colour, so you don’t miss any spots), and both boost with nourishing and protecting skincare ingredients. The best tip of the day, once you master self-tanning with a mitt, you will never bet without one. It’s the faster and easiest way to give your skin a believable bronze this summer.

MOR Boutique

Scent has become as important a feature of home design as any piece of furniture or your décor style. Maybe that is why home fragrance has become a $6.94 billion industry. The team from MOR Boutique shares brilliant tips on how to scent your home for the festive seasons, as well as ideas on hostess gifting for summer entertaining. Celebrating 20 years of exquisite home fragrance and body products, the new MOR Marshmallow Petals and spring-like Narcissus scents were in hot demand on the day.

Party Fashion Show

Our style director Hilsz curated the best garden-party, inspired collection of fashion you can buy now. What better way to celebrate a glamorous ladies’ lunch than to consider what to buy to update your wardrobe?

Above wearing Trelise Cooper and below Carla Zampatti.

Above wearing Adrienne Winkelmann and below BW 36.174.

Our guests

Thanks to our fabulous guests who joined us at Allely Estate. We were honoured to host you and hope we have helped inspire your summer fashion and beauty wardrobes. Not only is it the perfect day out to spend with friends or host clients, but it’s also the ideal way to take a break from your busy routine in the company of like-minded women.